Sammy Watkins 'feeling great' after Bills 28-21 win vs. Jaguars

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins made his triumphant return to the lineup after being sidelined for eight weeks with lingering foot problems and proved to be a key difference-maker in their 28-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

It was an ugly affair, but Watkins’ three receptions for 80 yards, including one beautiful 62-yard reception, helped ignite an otherwise moribund offense and may very well have kept Buffalo’s slim playoff hopes alive – at least for another week.

Watkins was supposed to be on a ‘pitch count’ during the game but he apparently felt good enough to play more than anticipated. During his post-game press conference, he said he felt no discomfort in his foot at all during the game.

“Felt good just being out there with the guys. I didn’t really focus on myself. I was more focused on getting on the field, getting the butterflies out, getting tackled, getting pressed a couple of times, and, really, I had fun and enjoyed it.”

“The foot is no issue. It’s just the course of how many plays. I’m going to be out there [seeing] how fast I can go,” Watkins said. “Right now, I’m feeling great. My first game back in eight weeks, I played pretty well. Some things I need to fix up and clean up, but other than that I think as a team and coming back with the chemistry, I think I played okay.”

This was great news for the Bills after wide receiver Robert Woods sprained his knee on a direct hit by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict during their Week 11 matchup. Woods was unable to play against Jacksonville, and it’s not known how much more time he may miss. Buffalo was also without wide receiver Percy Harvin on Sunday as he’s been dealing with the same migraine headaches that have plagued him throughout his career.

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Furthermore, wide receiver Walter Powell left the game with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury during the second half. The constant barrage of injuries to wide receivers this season has undoubtedly taken a toll on quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s development during his crucial second year as a starter in Buffalo.

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However, with Watkins back in the mix, all hope is not lost. His mere presence on the field going forward should assist the entire offense as he draws an extra defender or safety help over the top and he explained that when asked about his huge reception in the third quarter.

“I definitely did go over to him, [saying] ‘Hey, this is how they’re playing me.’ In the first half, they did a great job with putting their hands on me. I was moving too fast for myself,” Watkins said. “In the second half, I kind of slowed myself down. Every time I came to the line, [I] actually focused on the release. We knew we had that matchup and Tyrod did a great job throwing the ball out there, giving me a chance, and I made the play.”

The Bills will need all the help they can get when they take on the Oakland Raiders (8-2) next Sunday in yet another must-win matchup against an AFC opponent.

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